Liberty Collegiate Academy founding principal Linda Letz reads with students Brian Valverde, left, and Kevontaye Wilson during a book club.

Written by

Mayor Karl Dean

Over the past several months in Nashville, the term "charter school" has been synonymous with discord and controversy. What has been lost in the chatter is the emergence of several great charter schools, where student gains have been occurring at a stunning rate. With data for 2011-2012 now available, those schools deserve accolades for their wonderful work.

Nashville Prep is a middle school in its second year of existence. Located downtown and serving a 97 percent minority and 85 percent economically disadvantaged student population, the average 2011 Nashville Prep scholar entered ...